George Warthen Downs

George Warthen Downs, of Henrico County, died on September 6, 2016. Mr. Downs was born in Richmond on Dec. 29,, 1933 and attended Richmond Public Schools. He was the son of the late L. McCarthy Downs and Ann Warthen Downs.

Raised in Ginter Park, in 1948 he moved to Alexandria, VA where he attended George Washington High School. He returned to Richmond in 1950 and attended St. Christopher’s School, graduating in 1953. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS Degree in Commerce in 1957. While at the University of Virginia, he joined Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He obtained his law degree from the University of Richmond Law School in 1960. While in law school, he was elected to membership in the McNeil Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa honorary fraternity. He passed the Virginia State Bar examination in 1959 and upon graduation he set up his law practice in the Town of Stuart, Virginia, in Patrick County. He also became a member of the Florida Bar in 1970. In 1962 he was appointed Commissioner in Chancery and Commissioner of Accounts for Patrick County, and in 1963, he was elected Mayor of the Town of Stuart.

In 1965, Downs moved back to Richmond where he practiced law until his retirement in 1999.

He served as Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Henrico County from 1966 until 1971 when he was appointed Substitute Judge for the Henrico General District Court, where he served until 1979. He also served as a Commissioner in Chancery for Henrico County from 1985 until 1999.

He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Richmond Bar association from 1981 to 1984 and served on the Third District Bar Ethics Committee from 1977 to 1980.

In 1985 Downs was appointed to the Office of United States Magistrate Judge by the District Judges of the Eastern District of Virginia and he served in this position until his retirement in 1999.

He was a member of Grace Baptist Church. He married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Temple on January 28, 1956. Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his four children, George Warthen Downs Jr. (Marcelle) of Freeport, Texas, Elizabeth Temple Downs Stewart (Ben) of Yorktown, Virginia, Maryanne Downs Liscio (John) of Midlothian, and Margaret Peyton Nadder (Michael) of Gum Spring. Also surviving are his four grandchildren, Henry Warthen Liscio, John Andrew Liscio, Michael Joseph Nadder and Elizabeth Peyton Nadder. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Lewis McCarthy Downs, Jr. and William Sherwood Downs. He is also survived by a sister, Ann Downs Liles of Charlotte, NC.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Ken Ellenbogen and Dr. Martin Starkman for their care to Mr. Downs over many years.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a contribution to your favorite charity. A private service will be held at Hollywood Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Woody Funeral Home-Parham, Richmond, VA.